246 HAWAII. 



are used as men. I have frequently seen it played, and had it 

 explained to me, but could not understand all its intricacies. Pigs, 

 mats, and various other articles, were staked on the issue. 



On the 3d of March the instruments were all embarked, and the 

 observatory duties broken up. 



On the 4th of March, at 9 p. m., an attempt was made to get under 

 way, but the land-breeze failed. We made another attempt the next 

 morning, but were again obliged to anchor near the end of the reef. 

 I mention these circumstances, in order to show the difficulties that 

 sometimes occur in getting to sea from this port. This is in conse- 

 quence of the land-breeze frequently failing near the shore, so that 

 a vessel is sometimes becalmed for more than half a day between 

 the two winds. Fortunately, there is little or no current here, and, 

 therefore, no danger to be apprehended, although it is a disagreeable 

 situation to be placed in. 



As respects the bay of Hilo, I cannot but view it as a safe anchor- 

 age. We were detained there about three months, and never had a 

 gale strong enough to ride to our anchors, though these were the 

 winter months, December, January, and February. At times, how- 

 ever, there was a considerable swell rolling in, so as to make it 

 uncomfortable on board ship. The weather we met with was not 

 so rainy as I had been led to expect from the accounts given me, 

 and during the month of February we had some of the most de- 

 lightful weather I ever experienced. 



Provisions can be obtained, though not in abundance, and the 

 markets are not well supplied. The prices are the same as those 

 at Honolulu, although the demand is not so great. For wild cattle 

 we were asked thirty dollars. Kanuha, the chief, has the character 

 of wishing to impose upon strangers : I must, however, do him the 

 justice to say, that this imputation seems undeserved. Like all the rest 

 of the natives, he will ask double ; but it is only requisite to bargain 

 for the articles required, and for services beforehand, and to insist on 

 them complying strictly with their engagement. When this is done, 

 no difficulty will be experienced. 



The best landing is at Waiakea, which gives its name to the bay, 

 although it has been called Hilo and Byron's Bay. The latter name 

 was conferred on it, in compliment to Lord Byron, by Kaahumanu ; 

 but the native appellation cannot be set aside, and the bay is now 

 scarcely known among the natives when called Byron's. 



Excellent water is to be had in abundance, and with great ease, 



